Steven Santiago tries to hold back his emotions during a meeting between victims and public officials Friday, Jan. 31, 2014, at city hall as he discusses the loss of his business in the fire that happened Jan. 6 on Howe Avenue in Shelton, Conn. Santiago opened his own business, Universal Hair Studio, more than a year ago in Shelton and was not insured when he lost everything in the downtown fire.
Photo: Autumn Driscoll

Dwight Murphy, a former resident of the Howe Ave. building destroyed in a Jan. 6 fire, talks about his frustration with Comcast over charges for equipment lost in the blaze Friday, Jan. 31, 2014, at a meeting at City Hall in Shelton to discuss issues facing the fire victims.
Photo: Autumn Driscoll

Jessica Siu, owner of Joy Lee Chinese restaurant, talks about the hurdles her business is facing following a Jan. 6 fire on Howe Avenue in Shelton during a meeting with Sen. Richard Blumenthal and other public officials Friday, Jan. 31, 2014 at city hall.
Photo: Autumn Driscoll

Michele Bialek, co-owner of Liquid Lunch restaurant, talks about the hurdles she is facing with her insurance company during a meeting with Sen. Richard Blumenthal and other public officials Friday, Jan. 31, 2014 at city hall to discuss the fire that happened Jan. 6 on Howe Avenue in Shelton, Conn.
Photo: Autumn Driscoll

Building owner Ralph Matto attends a meeting with Sen. Richard Blumenthal and other public officials Friday, Jan. 31, 2014, at Echo Hose, Hook & Ladder Company in Shelton, Conn. to discuss the fire that destroyed his property on Howe Avenue.
Photo: Autumn Driscoll

Building owner Ralph Matto talks about the fire that destroyed his property on Howe Avenue during a meeting with Sen. Richard Blumenthal and other public officials Friday, Jan. 31, 2014, at Echo Hose, Hook & Ladder Company in Shelton, Conn.
Photo: Autumn Driscoll

Michele Bialek, co-owner of Liquid Lunch restaurant, talks about the hurdles she is facing with her insurance company during a press conference Friday, Jan. 31, 2014 at city hall to discuss the fire that happened Jan. 6 on Howe Avenue in Shelton, Conn.
Photo: Autumn Driscoll

The remains of the Howe Ave. building that was destroyed by fire on...

Shelton firefighters clean up after a fire at the Centrix plant in Shelton, Conn. on Friday October 4 2013. A motor inside the plant caught fire causing a partial evacuation of workers.
Photo: Christian Abraham

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that destroyed several businesses and apartments on Howe street in downtown Shelton, Conn. on Monday, Jan. 6, 2014. Five people were injured and at least 30 were left homeless as a result of the early morning fire.
Photo: BK Angeletti, B.K. Angeletti

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that...

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that destroyed several businesses and apartments on Howe street in downtown Shelton, Conn. on Monday, Jan. 6, 2014. Five people were injured and at least 30 were left homeless as a result of the early morning fire.
Photo: BK Angeletti, B.K. Angeletti

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that...

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that destroyed several businesses and apartments on Howe street in downtown Shelton, Conn. on Monday, Jan. 6, 2014. Five people were injured and at least 30 were left homeless as a result of the early morning fire.
Photo: BK Angeletti, B.K. Angeletti

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that...

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that destroyed several businesses and apartments on Howe street in downtown Shelton, Conn. on Monday, Jan. 6, 2014. Five people were injured and at least 30 were left homeless as a result of the early morning fire.
Photo: BK Angeletti, B.K. Angeletti

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that...

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that destroyed several businesses and apartments on Howe street in downtown Shelton, Conn. on Monday, Jan. 6, 2014. Five people were injured and at least 30 were left homeless as a result of the early morning fire.
Photo: BK Angeletti, B.K. Angeletti

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that...

What caused $40,000 in damage at St. Margaret Mary Church in Shelton?
A. An attack by vandals
B. A roof collapse caused by heavy snow
C. A burst pipe after heating fails
D. Fire
Photo: BK Angeletti, Andrew Merrill

Shelton firefighters clean up after a fire at the Centrix plant in Shelton, Conn. on Friday October 4 2013. A motor inside the plant caught fire causing a partial evacuation of workers.
Photo: Christian Abraham

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that destroyed several businesses and apartments on Howe street in downtown Shelton, Conn. on Monday, Jan. 6, 2014. Five people were injured and at least 30 were left homeless as a result of the early morning fire.
Photo: BK Angeletti, B.K. Angeletti

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that...

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that destroyed several businesses and apartments on Howe street in downtown Shelton, Conn. on Monday, Jan. 6, 2014. Five people were injured and at least 30 were left homeless as a result of the early morning fire.
Photo: BK Angeletti, B.K. Angeletti

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that...

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that destroyed several businesses and apartments on Howe street in downtown Shelton, Conn. on Monday, Jan. 6, 2014. Five people were injured and at least 30 were left homeless as a result of the early morning fire.
Photo: BK Angeletti, B.K. Angeletti

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that...

Mayor Mark Lauretti watches as firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that destroyed several businesses and apartments on Howe street in downtown Shelton, Conn. on Monday, Jan. 6, 2014. Five people were injured and at least 30 were left homeless as a result of the early morning fire.
Photo: BK Angeletti, B.K. Angeletti

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that destroyed several businesses and apartments on Howe street in downtown Shelton, Conn. on Monday, Jan. 6, 2014. Five people were injured and at least 30 were left homeless as a result of the early morning fire.
Photo: BK Angeletti, B.K. Angeletti

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that...

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that destroyed several businesses and apartments on Howe street in downtown Shelton, Conn. on Monday, Jan. 6, 2014. Five people were injured and at least 30 were left homeless as a result of the early morning fire.
Photo: BK Angeletti, B.K. Angeletti

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that...

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that destroyed several businesses and apartments on Howe street in downtown Shelton, Conn. on Monday, Jan. 6, 2014. Five people were injured and at least 30 were left homeless as a result of the early morning fire.
Photo: BK Angeletti, B.K. Angeletti

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that...

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that destroyed several businesses and apartments on Howe street in downtown Shelton, Conn. on Monday, Jan. 6, 2014. Five people were injured and at least 30 were left homeless as a result of the early morning fire.
Photo: BK Angeletti, B.K. Angeletti

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that...

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that destroyed several businesses and apartments on Howe street in downtown Shelton, Conn. on Monday, Jan. 6, 2014. Five people were injured and at least 30 were left homeless as a result of the early morning fire.
Photo: BK Angeletti, B.K. Angeletti

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that...

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that destroyed several businesses and apartments on Howe street in downtown Shelton, Conn. on Monday, Jan. 6, 2014. Five people were injured and at least 30 were left homeless as a result of the early morning fire.
Photo: BK Angeletti, B.K. Angeletti

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that...

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that destroyed several businesses and apartments on Howe street in downtown Shelton, Conn. on Monday, Jan. 6, 2014. Five people were injured and at least 30 were left homeless as a result of the early morning fire.
Photo: BK Angeletti, B.K. Angeletti

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that...

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that destroyed several businesses and apartments on Howe street in downtown Shelton, Conn. on Monday, Jan. 6, 2014. Five people were injured and at least 30 were left homeless as a result of the early morning fire.
Photo: BK Angeletti, B.K. Angeletti

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that...

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that destroyed several businesses and apartments on Howe street in downtown Shelton, Conn. on Monday, Jan. 6, 2014. Five people were injured and at least 30 were left homeless as a result of the early morning fire.
Photo: BK Angeletti, B.K. Angeletti

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that...

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that destroyed several businesses and apartments on Howe street in downtown Shelton, Conn. on Monday, Jan. 6, 2014. Five people were injured and at least 30 were left homeless as a result of the early morning fire.
Photo: BK Angeletti, B.K. Angeletti

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that...

Demolition continues on Howe Ave. in downtown, Shelton, Conn. on Monday afternoon, Jan. 6, 2014. Five people were injured and at least 30 were left homeless as a result of an early morning fire that destroyed several businesses and apartments.
Photo: BK Angeletti, B.K. Angeletti

Demolition continues on Howe Ave. in downtown, Shelton, Conn. on...

Mayor Mark Lauretti walks through the demolition on Howe Ave. in downtown, Shelton, Conn. on Monday afternoon, Jan. 6, 2014. Five people were injured and at least 30 were left homeless as a result of an early morning fire that destroyed several businesses and apartments.
Photo: BK Angeletti, B.K. Angeletti

Mayor Mark Lauretti walks through the demolition on Howe Ave. in...

Demolition continues on Howe Ave. in downtown, Shelton, Conn. on Monday afternoon, Jan. 6, 2014. Five people were injured and at least 30 were left homeless as a result of an early morning fire that destroyed several businesses and apartments.

Photo: BK Angeletti, B.K. Angeletti

Demolition continues on Howe Ave. in downtown, Shelton, Conn. on...

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that destroyed several businesses and apartments on Howe street in downtown Shelton, Conn. on Monday, Jan. 6, 2014. Five people were injured and at least 30 were left homeless as a result of the early morning fire.
Photo: BK Angeletti, B.K. Angeletti

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that...

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that destroyed several businesses and apartments on Howe street in downtown Shelton, Conn. on Monday, Jan. 6, 2014. Five people were injured and at least 30 were left homeless as a result of the early morning fire.
Photo: BK Angeletti, B.K. Angeletti

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that...

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that destroyed several businesses and apartments on Howe street in downtown Shelton, Conn. on Monday, Jan. 6, 2014. Five people were injured and at least 30 were left homeless as a result of the early morning fire.
Photo: BK Angeletti, B.K. Angeletti

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that...

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that destroyed several businesses and apartments on Howe street in downtown Shelton, Conn. on Monday, Jan. 6, 2014. Five people were injured and at least 30 were left homeless as a result of the early morning fire.
Photo: BK Angeletti, B.K. Angeletti

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that...

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that destroyed several businesses and apartments on Howe street in downtown Shelton, Conn. on Monday, Jan. 6, 2014. Five people were injured and at least 30 were left homeless as a result of the early morning fire.
Photo: BK Angeletti, B.K. Angeletti

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that...

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that destroyed several businesses and apartments on Howe street in downtown Shelton, Conn. on Monday, Jan. 6, 2014. Five people were injured and at least 30 were left homeless as a result of the early morning fire.
Photo: BK Angeletti, B.K. Angeletti

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that...

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that destroyed several businesses and apartments on Howe street in downtown Shelton, Conn. on Monday, Jan. 6, 2014. Five people were injured and at least 30 were left homeless as a result of the early morning fire.
Photo: BK Angeletti, B.K. Angeletti

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that...

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that destroyed several businesses and apartments on Howe street in downtown Shelton, Conn. on Monday, Jan. 6, 2014. Five people were injured and at least 30 were left homeless as a result of the early morning fire.
Photo: BK Angeletti, B.K. Angeletti

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that...

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that destroyed several businesses and apartments on Howe street in downtown Shelton, Conn. on Monday, Jan. 6, 2014. Five people were injured and at least 30 were left homeless as a result of the early morning fire.
Photo: BK Angeletti, B.K. Angeletti

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that...

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that destroyed several businesses and apartments on Howe street in downtown Shelton, Conn. on Monday, Jan. 6, 2014. Five people were injured and at least 30 were left homeless as a result of the early morning fire.
Photo: BK Angeletti, B.K. Angeletti

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that...

Demolition continues on Howe Ave. in downtown, Shelton, Conn. on Monday afternoon, Jan. 6, 2014. Five people were injured and at least 30 were left homeless as a result of an early morning fire that destroyed several businesses and apartments.
Photo: BK Angeletti, B.K. Angeletti

Demolition continues on Howe Ave. in downtown, Shelton, Conn. on...

Demolition continues on Howe Ave. in downtown, Shelton, Conn. on Monday afternoon, Jan. 6, 2014. Five people were injured and at least 30 were left homeless as a result of an early morning fire that destroyed several businesses and apartments.
Photo: BK Angeletti, B.K. Angeletti

Demolition continues on Howe Ave. in downtown, Shelton, Conn. on...

Demolition continues on Howe Ave. in downtown, Shelton, Conn. on Monday afternoon, Jan. 6, 2014. Five people were injured and at least 30 were left homeless as a result of an early morning fire that destroyed several businesses and apartments.
Photo: BK Angeletti, B.K. Angeletti

Demolition continues on Howe Ave. in downtown, Shelton, Conn. on...

Demolition continues on Howe Ave. in downtown, Shelton, Conn. on Monday afternoon, Jan. 6, 2014. Five people were injured and at least 30 were left homeless as a result of an early morning fire that destroyed several businesses and apartments.
Photo: BK Angeletti, B.K. Angeletti

Demolition continues on Howe Ave. in downtown, Shelton, Conn. on...

Demolition continues on Howe Ave. in downtown, Shelton, Conn. on Monday afternoon, Jan. 6, 2014. Five people were injured and at least 30 were left homeless as a result of an early morning fire that destroyed several businesses and apartments.
Photo: BK Angeletti, B.K. Angeletti

Demolition continues on Howe Ave. in downtown, Shelton, Conn. on...

Demolition continues on Howe Ave. in downtown, Shelton, Conn. on Monday afternoon, Jan. 6, 2014. Five people were injured and at least 30 were left homeless as a result of an early morning fire that destroyed several businesses and apartments.

Photo: BK Angeletti, B.K. Angeletti

Demolition continues on Howe Ave. in downtown, Shelton, Conn. on...

Demolition continues on Howe Ave. in downtown, Shelton, Conn. on Monday afternoon, Jan. 6, 2014. Five people were injured and at least 30 were left homeless as a result of an early morning fire that destroyed several businesses and apartments.

Photo: BK Angeletti, B.K. Angeletti

Demolition continues on Howe Ave. in downtown, Shelton, Conn. on...

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that destroyed several businesses and apartments on Howe street in downtown Shelton, Conn. on Monday, Jan. 6, 2014. Five people were injured and at least 30 were left homeless as a result of the early morning fire.
Photo: BK Angeletti, B.K. Angeletti

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that...

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that destroyed several businesses and apartments on Howe street in downtown Shelton, Conn. on Monday, Jan. 6, 2014. Five people were injured and at least 30 were left homeless as a result of the early morning fire.
Photo: BK Angeletti, B.K. Angeletti

Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle a fire that...

Demolition continues on Howe Ave. in downtown, Shelton, Conn. on Monday afternoon, Jan. 6, 2014. Five people were injured and at least 30 were left homeless as a result of an early morning fire that destroyed several businesses and apartments.
Photo: BK Angeletti, B.K. Angeletti

Ann Griffin, of Orange, made a special trip to see stylist Chey Kistner, of Ansonia, to support the cut-a-thon at the Oxford Academy of Hair Design in Seymour Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014 to benefit the 28 residents displaced by the Jan. 6 fire that destroyed a half block on Howe Avenue in Shelton, Conn. Griffin also brought 10 bags of clothing and housewares to donate to the victims.
Photo: Autumn Driscoll

Shelton business owner Wendy Hahn volunteers her time sorting through clothes as donations pile up at the Echo Hose Fire Station in Shelton, Conn. Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2013 after an outpouring of community support for victims of Monday's fire on Howe Ave.
Photo: Autumn Driscoll

Mary Porter, president of No Vet Left Behind, picks up winter coats for two veterans who were displaced following Monday's fire on Howe Ave. Donations of food, clothing and household supplies have been collected at Echo Hose Fire Station in Shelton, Conn. for victims of the fire which started early Monday morning.
Photo: Autumn Driscoll

Michele Bialek, owner of Liquid Lunch, expresses her gratitude over the outpouring of community support following Monday's fire on Howe Ave. during a press conference at the Echo Hose Fire Station in Shelton, Conn. Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2013.
Photo: Autumn Driscoll

Bob Walden, a tenant who lost his home, expresses gratitude over the outpouring of community support following Monday's fire on Howe Ave. during a press conference at the Echo Hose Fire Station in Shelton, Conn. Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2013.
Photo: Autumn Driscoll

Volunteer Missy Samaha, of Stratford, helps Stephen Serrato gather supplies for his new apartment Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014, at a storefront on Center Street, owned by firefighter Chris Jones, being used to store donated food and supplies for victims of the fire on Howe Avenue in Shelton that destroyed businesses and apartments on January 6, 2014. Echo Hose Hook & Ladder Co. was inundated with donations following the massive fire, but victims are still in need of housewares and kitchen supplies as they try to rebound.

Linda Robak looks at her 15-year-old daughter Laura as they attend a news conference Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014, at Echo Hose Hook & Ladder Co. in Shelton to discuss the impact of the fire on Howe Avenue in Shelton that destroyed businesses and apartments, including theirs, on January 6, 2014.
Photo: Autumn Driscoll

Linda Robak talks to firefighter Billy Tortora following a news conference Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014, at Echo Hose Hook & Ladder Co. in Shelton. Tortora helped Robak and her daughter escape their apartment on Howe Avenue during a fire that destroyed the building on January 6, 2014.
Photo: Autumn Driscoll

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy speaks at a press conference Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014, at Echo Hose Hook & Ladder Co. in Shelton to announce the approval of his request for a Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster declaration to mitigate the impact of the fire in Shelton that destroyed businesses and apartments on January 6, 2014.
Photo: Autumn Driscoll